Dabrowski/Xu come from behind, win title in Connecticut

Gabriela Dabrowski (Ottawa, ON) picked up her second title of the season at the Connecticut Open. Dabrowski and partner Yifan Xu (CHN) upset the Australian power duo of Ashleigh Barty/Casey Dellacqua 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in the final.

After falling behind an early break, the Canadian-Chinese pair would get back on level terms but eventually surrendered another break to the Australians. Barty/Dellacqua would serve out the opener 6-3.

The second set was much tighter. Dabrowski/Xu were 0/2 in saving break points in the opening set but were a perfect 2/2 in the second. Barty/Dellacqua would give up the only breaks of the set. Dabrowski capitalized on the opportunity to serve out the set 6-3 and put the match into a super tiebreak.

In a tiebreak that shifted momentum every few points, it was Dabrowski/Xu who were that little bit more efficient on serve in dire moments. After trailing a double mini break at 0-3 and 3-6, Dabrowski/Xu won seven of the last nine points and captured the Connecticut Open title 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in one hour, 12 minutes.

It is Dabrowski and Xu’s second title of the season and second big upset in a final. They previously defeated Sania Mirza/Barbora Strycova to win the Miami Open in March.

This has been a career-best year for the Canadian who also has the Roland Garros mixed doubles title to her name. With her title in Connecticut she will return to her career-high ranking of no. 19 this Monday.